Editors' Review

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is a surprisingly effective freeware antimalware tool. It's a relatively speedy malware remover, with the quick scan taking about 8 minutes even with other high-resource programs running. The heuristics engine proved on multiple computers during empirical testing that it was capable of determining the difference between false positives and dangerous apps.

The app has some nice features rolled in, too. It supports multiple drive scanning including networked drives, context menu options including a scan-on-demand for individual files, and the FileAssassin option under the More Tools section for removing locked files. The interface is simple, but pleasant-looking and well-organized. Tabs live just below the oversized logo, with few options per tab to keep down the clutter. The installation process was fast enough, but interestingly offered up the well-kept changelog and an instant definition file update.

Do note that the real-time protection is restricted to the paid version, as is the scheduler for updates and scans. Overall, though, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is a responsive malware remover that does what it should with a minimum of fuss.

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Publisher's Description

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware is a high performance anti-malware application that thoroughly removes even the most advanced malware and spyware. With one of the fastest, most effective quick scans and malware removal capabilities on the market, this program is the perfect addition to your PC's defenses. The full version of the product includes a number of key features, including the ability to schedule updates and scans and most importantly, a real-time malware protection module that blocks malicious processes before they even start.

Easy to use and usually quickSeems to have the best detection rate (or at least one of the best)Small space

Cons

To get full protection - as in for it to block spyware and to schedule scans, you need to pay.

Summary

My family PC which I don't use has often had infections usually from my brother or dad, to which I've been called many times to fix. I've tried every Antivirus I could get hold of, every spyware program and when none where finding anything, Malwarebytes always saved the day.

It seems to be able to find just about anything. Don't think I've never had an infection issue that this baby hasn't sorted. The only downside as mentioned in the Cons is that the free version doesn't have actual protection and scheduling, simply the free version only finds the stuff on your computer already, not blocking any new ones.

I usually use it as an extra, if an antivirus program I'm using fails to detect something.

Very easy to download, install and use, the updates are timely, and it also found issues on my computer that my Avast! antivirus pro could not find

Cons

None, haven't had any problems yet

Summary

My computer had decreased slowly in speed, and at times while i was browsing the internet, my computer would lock up and restart by itself, I eventually checked all of my computers hardware and found nothing wrong, everything was up to date, so the first thought that came to mind was my computer was infected.

I decided to download and install Malware Bytes to scan my computer for any problems, and to my amazement it found a trojan and tons of malware, it then quarinted these problems and removed them, thus my computer began to run properly again. I highly recommend this program for removing viruses off of infected computers.

a good backup - other AV programs will still install and run if this is on the system and not runniong

Cons

NO AV program catches everything and this is no exception.

Summary

MWB is at the top of my toolkit when I have a badly infected system. I usually throw a suite of 7 programs at it and have yet to have an unsuccessful cleaning. Which programs are included or run in which order changes about every six months depending on who has released what in that time. For the users who don't do regular backups, but do keep their only copy of critical data, music or photos on their PC, this is far nicer than doing a quick wipe and saying "sorry, but..."

My computer was hacked twice in the past week. Microsoft Assist used Malware Bytes to remove the Anti Spyware 2012 "hijacker" and Trojans that (MSSE) allowed onto my system through their own download center. Malware Bytes allowed me to Quarantine and then remove each program. This took several scans to remove the many threats. The hacker is on the run from the police, and I no longer have (MSSE) on my computer as the viruses killed it and Microsoft Malware Removal.

Cons

Respected scans may be necessary to remove every malware program. You need then to unplug and reboot your DSL router so the hackers can't find you as easily. I now use AV! and Malware Byte's Anti-Malware.

Summary

Use as a combination and a backup program in case your "real time" protection is killed. Save a copy to a flash drive to use in Safe Mode in case your computer is hacked.

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